School Policies
Mission Statement: Dana Middle School is dedicated to the education of the total child. We are committed to providing a challenging curriculum that inspires academic, artistic, and physical excellence while fostering positive self-esteem, respect, enthusiasm, and cooperation. We believe a successful learning environment:
• Puts students’ needs ahead of all else
• Fosters student leadership and responsibility for learning and behavior
• Provides a challenging, student-centered curriculum with high standards for all students
• Involves parents and community in education of students
• Teaches children to be accepting of one another
DANA CODE OF CONDUCT
The Dana Middle School staff is committed to
helping students be successful by always doing their personal best!
The journey to success requires hard work, enthusiasm, friendship, loyalty, cooperation, self-control, alertness, action, determination, fitness, skill, teamwork, praise, and confidence. Attaining your personal best is the responsibility of the student, his/her parents, and school personnel.
Parent Responsibility: Teach your children behavior appropriate to achieving good citizenship and good work habits in school. Communicate with your child’s teachers on a regular basis. Know district and school rules. Cooperate and support the school in maintaining proper standards for students and the appropriate consequences.
Student Responsibility: Work hard at attaining your personal best. Respect yourself, your classmates, all Dana staff, and our school. Always maintain a positive attitude, do your best, and come to school prepared every day.
School Personnel Responsibility: Establish and maintain the standards that are needed to achieve a positive learning environment. Teach and review rules with students. Communicate with parents.
SCHOOL RULES:
1. Students should arrive at school no earlier than 8:30 a.m. Students will remain on the playground until the bell rings. A hall pass is required to enter the building before school.
2. Be prompt. The school day begins at 9:05 a.m. Tardiness will be reflected in citizenship grade on progress reports.
3. Bicycles may be ridden to and from school. Students are required by law to wear helmets. All bicycles must be locked in the bicycle rack. Students must walk their bicycles while on school grounds.
4. Skateboards, rollerblades, and scooters are NOT allowed on campus at any time.
5. NO toys, games, trading cards, or playthings are to be brought to school.
6. NO radios, walkmans, iPods, MP3 players, CD players, tape recorders, pagers, lasers, electronic games, or devices of any kind are to be brought to school. The school does not take responsibility for the loss, damage, or theft of these items.
7. Gum, candy, energy drinks, and soft drinks are not allowed at school. If brought to school they will be confiscated by the staff and will not be returned.
8. Whiteout and permanent markers are not allowed at school.
9. Students are expected to obey the Student Dress Code (see below for details).
10. Students are expected to respect and follow the directions of all adult staff members.
11. In order to maintain a safe and orderly environment, children are expected to walk in the hallways (indoor and outdoor) at all times.
12. In order to maintain a safe and orderly playground, children are expected to be respectful at all times and follow the directions of the Supervision Staff. No tag or chase will be allowed. Children are expected to immediately share playground problems with staff.
13. Teachers will walk students to the cafeteria for lunch. No cuts are allowed - each student has only one place in line. Students will eat in the lunch arbor area except for rainy days. Students are expected to remain seated while eating and use good manners. When students are finished eating, they are to wait for permission to be excused, dispose of all their trash, and walk to the playground or the library.
14. Dismissal time is 3:45 p.m.. (1:05 p.m. on Thursday). No school supervision is provided after 4:00 p.m. (1:20 p.m. on Thursday).
STUDENT DRESS CODE POLICY:
Dana students are expected to dress for success Students are expected to exercise good judgment, good taste, and modesty regarding their dress and grooming. Any clothing considered to be disruptive to the educational process is inappropriate for school. Dress code violations will result in lowered citizenship grades. Students are expected to adhere to the following guidelines:
• Bellies must be covered.
• No revealing necklines, strapless shirts, halter tops, or shirts with spaghetti straps. Tank top straps must be 2” wide or wider.
• No sagging pants.
• Shorts, skirts and dresses must be mid-thigh length.
• Footwear must be worn at all times when students are at school or at school-sponsored activities. Slippers or house shoes are not acceptable footwear. For safety reasons, sandals and open-toed shoes are not permitted. High heel shoes are not permitted. Athletic shoes are required for Physical Education.
• Jeans, pants, or tops that reveal undergarments are not appropriate for school.
• Sleepwear of any kind is not appropriate for school.
• Hoods are not permitted to be worn indoors.
• Pierced ears are allowed. No other piercings are acceptable.
• Dangling, hoop earrings or excessive amounts of jewelry are not permitted.
• Cosmetics are not permitted. No makeup should be worn to school.
• Garments, backpacks, hats, and accessories must not display:
o Profanity, sexually suggestive, obscene language or pictures, or vulgar gestures
o Racial, ethnic or sexist slurs
o Messages about drugs, alcohol, or tobacco
• Hats are acceptable. Baseball caps must be worn bill forward. Following proper etiquette, hats must be removed when indoors.
• Sunglasses are permitted in outdoor areas only. Sunglasses must be removed when indoors, unless prescribed by a doctor.
DANA DISCIPLINE PLAN:
Dana’s discipline plan is based on the belief that all students are deserving of a quality education and have the right to maximize their learning potential. Motivated students who accept responsibility for their learning and their personal growth and development contribute to a school culture that is based on respect and success. We encourage and promote healthy lifestyles that are a direct result of positive choices made by students. While the goal is for students to make informed decisions and healthy choices, there exists the possibility of making a mistake along the way. We reward positive choices that produce successful results. We impose consequences that hold students accountable for choices that interfere with academic and personal success.
Rewards for positive choices – The most obvious reward is intrinsic. Hard work pays off! Students who demonstrate a sense of commitment, determination, and perseverance will experience academic and personal success. School wide reward assemblies are held each semester to acknowledge students who, through hard work and positive choices, have attained a level of success deserving of public recognition. Reward assemblies/activities will be offered to students who have maintained a citizenship grade point average of 2.5 and have limited entries in their behavior record.
Consequences for poor choices – Making a poor choice lends itself to a learning opportunity. Therefore, consequences will be imposed to assist students in developing a sense of responsibility to themselves as well as to the community. The goal of every student is to become successful in life. When behavioral choices negatively impact the teaching and learning process, appropriate consequences will be given. Levels of misbehavior and their consequences have been identified as follows:
LEVEL ONE BEHAVIORS…
• Behavior that disrupts teaching and learning
• Failure to follow teacher directions
• Talking out, noisy, or rude
• Off-task behavior
• Creating distractions (such as throwing paper, falling out of chair)
• Failure to respect dress code
• Inappropriate behavior
• Possession of candy, energy drinks, or soda
• Other minor disruptions
Consequences:
Consequences will be determined by classroom teacher and include writing a Personal Responsibility Plan (PRP), phone call home, parent conference, loss of classroom privileges, etc. Three PRPs will result in one After School Detention.
LEVEL TWO BEHAVIORS…
• Behavior that stops teaching and learning
• Choices that jeopardize the safety of any student or staff member (such as running in hallways or courtyard, throwing sharp or heavy objects, etc)
• Lack of positive problem solving resulting in confrontation
• Use of electronic devices
• Play fighting or rough housing
• Teasing, harassing, or verbally abusing another
• Cheating
• Possession of gum
• Other minor disruptions
Consequences:
Consequences will be determined by staff member addressing the infraction and will include After School Detention, phone call home, parent conference, or loss of classroom privilege, etc. Three After School Detentions will result in a Friday School Detention. Parents will be notified of the detention day and time. Parents will be responsible for transportation arrangements. If parents refuse to allow a student to serve After School Detention, a formal suspension will be given.
LEVEL THREE BEHAVIORS…
• Assault/battery/mutual combat or attempt to cause or causes physical injury
• Possession of weapons, explosives, dangerous objects, imitation firearms
• Possession of controlled/prohibited substances, alcohol, or tobacco
• Property damage (vandalism or graffiti)
• Property theft
• Obscenities
• Disruption/defiance
• Hate incidents
• Threats or intimidation
• Leaving school grounds without permission
• Racial slurs
• Harassment
Consequences:
Consequences will be determined by site administrators and may include community service, Friday School Detention, formal suspension, or recommendation for expulsion.
SCHOOL BUS RULES…
Students are required to present their bus pass/school ID card each time they board the bus. If students lose their bus pass, they may purchase a new one at the office during their free time.
Rigid standards of discipline on buses must be maintained at all times in order to satisfy safety standards. Each bus driver has complete authority over the pupils riding the bus. Students are expected to follow all bus rules and procedures required by the driver. The driver has the right to recommend suspension from the bus for any student who is disobedient or guilty of any misbehavior.
Failure to comply with the following bus rules will result in suspension from the bus. If suspended from the bus, families are expected to make transportations arrangements.
• Students will follow directions of driver.
• Students will safely wait for, board, and exit the bus at assigned bus stops.
• Students will remain properly seated.
• Students will keep hands, head, arms, and legs away from windows.
• Students will talk quietly. Loud voices and profanity are prohibited.
• Students may not eat, drink, or chew gum on the bus.
• Students will leave radios, tape recorders, toys, games, glass objects and other potentially disruptive items at home.
• Students will not throw ANY objects on the bus or out of bus windows.
Bus Referral Consequences:
• First referral will result in a one day suspension from riding the bus
• Second referral will result in a two day suspension from riding the bus
• Third referral will result in a three day suspension from riding the bus
• Fourth referral will result in a four day suspension from riding the bus
• Fifth referral will result in loss of bus riding privileges for the remainder of the year
DISCIPLINARY ACTIONS…
What is an After School Detention?
An after school detention is a disciplinary action taken by school personnel which requires a student to remain after school on a designated date for 40 minutes of detention in Room 103. It is the responsibility of the parent to arrange for transportation of any student serving detention.
What is a Suspension?
A suspension is a disciplinary action taken by school officials which temporarily prohibits a student from attending regular classes and other school events. The length of the suspension varies from one to five days depending on the offense.
What is an Expulsion?
Expulsion is disciplinary action taken by the school board which prohibits a student from attending classes and any school activities for the remainder of the school year or up to 12 months. .
What is the Zero Tolerance Policy?
The Board of Education has a Zero Tolerance Policy. This policy is in full effect at Dana Middle School. The Zero Tolerance Policy is printed in this handbook. An additional copy will be sent home in the first week of school requiring parents and students to read, sign, and return to school.
BICYCLE/SKATEBOARD POLICY…
All bicycle riders must wear a helmet and walk their bike on the sidewalk in front of school upon arrival to and dismissal from campus. Bicycles will be confiscated from students not wearing a helmet. All bicycles must be parked in the bike racks. All bicycles must be locked and have licenses. Licenses may be obtained at the local Fire Department.
Although Dana Middle School has designated an area for students to park bicycles, the San Diego Unified School district is not responsible and assumes no liability for theft, damage, or loss of use to any bicycle or equipment. All such risk is assumed by the student. Students are urged to secure their bicycles in an appropriate manner by using a quality lock and chain.
Skateboards, roller blades, Razor scooters, roller-shoes/Heelies are NOT PERMITTED on campus at any time, including non-school hours.
CELL PHONE POLICY…
Students may possess cell phones. State law states that elementary school-age children may only use cell phones before or after school.
Cell phones must be kept out of sight and turned off during instructional time. Unauthorized use of cell phones disrupts the instructional program and is grounds for confiscation by school personnel. Confiscated phones will be returned to the parent or guardian. Repeated offenses may lead to disciplinary action. The school does not take responsibility for the loss, damage, or theft of cell phones. We do not recommend that cell phones be stored in backpacks.
CLASSROOM VISITATION POLICY…
Parents are more than welcome to visit their child’s classroom. Please make arrangements with the teacher one day prior to your visit. This enables the teacher to assist you in seeing the subjects of interest to you.
HOMEWORK POLICY…
School and district policy requires homework and outside reading on a regular basis. Homework is given to confirm and assess understanding and to develop independent, responsible students who can become lifelong learners. Timely performance of homework has an impact on both academic and citizenship grades.
Each teacher will send home a letter informing parents of their specific homework plan. Further discussion will be presented at Dana Middle School’s Curriculum Night in early fall. Please remember that while you are encouraged to assist and supervise your child’s home learning, you should not do the work for him/her. If you have a concern about the quantity or efficacy of your child’s homework, please contact the teacher immediately.
PROMOTION POLICY…
Dana’s sixth grade promotion ceremony is a privilege. Students must earn this privilege by attaining a 2.0 grade point average in academics and citizenship for the first three quarters. Students with two or more suspensions will not be eligible to participate. Students who are not eligible to participate will be reviewed by teachers and administrators, and a final decision will be made.
SIGN OUT PROCEDURE…
Student safety is our highest priority. State law prohibits students from leaving school grounds at any time during the school day without a written request. If parents/guardians need to excuse their child from school early, they must come to the main office to fill out an absence excuse slip (Blue Slip). Students will only be released to persons listed on the enrollment card. A form of identification will be requested. Your cooperation will help us maintain safety.
VISITOR POLICY…
State law requires that ALL VISITORS to the school site sign in at the office. A sign-in register is maintained and visitor badges are issued.
GENERAL INFORMATION:
ABSENCE REPORTING…
Regular attendance in school is vital to your child’s academic progress. However, if your child is ill and will be absent from school, please call the office at (619) 225-3897 before 9:00 a.m.. The law requires us to document the reason for every student absence. Therefore, calls will be made to the homes of those students whose parents/guardians have not reported their child’s absence. In
accordance with the Education Code (48260(a), 48260.5), a series of official district attendance letters are mailed to parents and reported to the state in cases of unexcused absences.
CONTACT INFORMATION…
To help us take better care of your children in case of illness, accident or other emergencies, please KEEP THE OFFICE INFORMED when your address, work location and/or phone numbers change, as well as when there is a change in emergency names or child care arrangements. If we cannot reach you, we cannot inform you of any emergency situation involving your child.
FOOD SERVICES INFORMATION…
Breakfast is served from 8:30 to 9:00 a.m. daily.
Breakfast may be purchased for $1.00.
Dana has two lunch periods. First lunch is served from 12:10 to 12:40 p.m. Second lunch is served from 1:11 to 1:41 p.m.
Lunches are served for $1.75, including milk. Milk alone is 50 cents. A salad bar is also offered daily. Monthly food menus can be obtained on www.sandi.net, Menus vary from month to month. Changes will be posted in the cafeteria.
Applications for free or reduced lunch are sent home at the beginning of the school year and are also available in the school office. District policy requires families to complete a new application every year.
Each student enrolled at Dana has a personal meal account and a personal identification number (PIN). During meal times students enter their PIN on a keypad. Students who pay the full or reduced rate can either have the meal charge deducted from their account or pay cash to the cashier.
Families are encouraged to deposit money into their personal meal account. This can be done by placing money (cash or check, made payable to Dana Middle School) in a sealed envelope. All envelopes should be turned in to the cafeteria before class begins at 9:05 a.m.. If writing a check please include the name of the student on the check and the following information clearly printed on the front of the envelope.
• Lunch/Milk Purchase
• Name of student and homeroom teacher
• Amount enclosed
HEALTH OFFICE…
If a student is feeling ill at school, it is important to let a teacher or other staff member know. Students will be sent to the school nurse (or designee) if such illness or injury warrants medical evaluation. A pass must accompany students if they are to be seen by the nurse, and parents must be able to pick up their child from school when they are too ill to remain on campus. Students with temperatures greater than 100.5 and/or vomiting need to stay home and be free of symptoms for 24 hours before
they can return to school.
If a child misses any five school days in a four-week period due to illness, we feel that child’s health condition needs to be evaluated by a physician. Please ensure regular attendance, otherwise written verification of illness must be provided by the child’s doctor or dentist. If the child has an underlying health condition that leads to anticipated future absences, please contact the school nurse.
Medications
Students are not allowed to carry medications during the school day. Exceptions are allowed if the appropriate paperwork is on file in the health office. The school requires a medication authorization form for all students needing inhalers and other prescribed medications. A signed physician order must accompany all medications brought to school for dispensing by the school nurse or designated staff. Without a physician’s directive, no medications, even temporary cold medicines and over-the-counter medications, can be dispensed at school. Medication authorization forms need to be renewed each school year. Please see the school nurse to pick up the required forms.
Immunization
California School Immunization Law requires that children be up to date on their immunizations in order to attend school. Diseases like measles and chicken pox spread quickly so students need to be protected before they enter school.
To register at Dana you need your child’s immunization record. It must show the date each shot was given to the student. If you do not have all the shots or do not have an immunization record, please make an appointment with your child’s pediatrician or the local public health department.
Required Shots
• Polio: 3 doses meet the requirement for ages 7-17 years if at least one was given on or after the second birthday
• DTP/DTaP/Td/DT or any combination: 4 doses meet the requirement for ages 7-17 if at least one was given on or after the second birthday
• MMR: 2 doses, both on or after the first birthday
• Hepatitis B: 3 doses
• Varicella: 1 dose or a documented history of the chicken pox
LOST AND FOUND…
Please label all clothing items, backpacks, lunch boxes, and supplies with your child’s name. By doing so most lost items can be promptly returned to their owners. If an item has been misplaced, students are encouraged to check the lost and found bin located in the cafeteria or in the office. Students finding lost articles are required to turn them in to the office.
PARENT/TEACHER CONFERENCES…
There will be pre-scheduled modified days of instruction in the fall for Parent/Teacher Progress Report Conferences. A notice will be sent home to parents informing them of these dates. For other individual conferences with your child’s teacher, please contact the teacher to make an appointment for a time before or after school. When attempting to contact teachers, please call the school, ask for the teacher and leave a message on their voicemail or leave a message with the front office. Teachers cannot answer the phone during instructional time.
SHORT TERM STUDY CONTRACT…
If your child must be absent from school 5 (five) days or more, parents are required to contact the school attendance clerk a minimum of two weeks in advance of the absence to make arrangements for a short term contract for independent study (CIS) for the absence period. Academic assignments will be given to the student to complete during the absence. When the student turns in the successfully completed assignments, she/he will be given credit for these days, for attendance purposes. If all work is not submitted, the absences will be considered unexcused.
STUDENT PROGRESS REPORTS…
Parents are notified of student progress on a quarterly basis. Progress reports are sent home in November and April. Semester report cards are mailed home in February and June. All parents will be issued a PIN to gain on-line access to Parent Connection where information regarding on-going grades, attendance, and behavior is available. Parents are encouraged to keep in contact with their child’s teachers on a regular basis.
TARDINESS…
The school day begins promptly at 9:05 a.m.. Tardiness is very disruptive to your child’s morning routine as well as his/her classmates, and negatively impacts his/her school experience. Please assist us in meeting your child’s educational needs by making sure your child is in class before the bell rings. In accordance with the education Code (48l200, 48260 (a), 48260.5), a series of official district tardy letters are mailed to parents and reported to the state if the number of tardies becomes excessive.
LIBRARY MEDIA CENTER SERVICES…
The library collection of books and media has been developed to meet your needs and to promote literacy and life-long learners. The library is open before and after school and during lunch time. Our hours are 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. everyday except Thursday. On our modified day, Thursday, we are open from 8:30 a.m. to 1:05 p.m..
Circulation
• Students may check out up to four books for a two week period
• Students must have “School Planner” with barcode or student ID card
• Books may be renewed once
• Overdue books are assessed fines of five cents per day/per book, with the exclusion of weekends, and holidays
Textbooks
• Every student is provided with a Science, Language Arts, Social Studies and Mathematics textbook.
• Students and their parents have one week from issuance to carefully examine each textbook for damages not already noted at time of checkout. When such damage is found, the book should be brought to the library media center so that damages will be noted. Should you fail to notify the library media center of damages found within the first week, you may be charged for those damages.
• Students are responsible for returning them in June or their last day of attendance at Dana.
• All textbooks must be covered at all times. Do NOT use contact paper and do NOT tape book covers to books. Your name is to be signed, in ink, on the nameplate in the book.
• If a textbook is lost or damaged, please notify the library staff immediately.
Computers
• Students must have written parental permission before using the Internet
• Students must sign in before using computers
• Students need to ask permission to print
Library Media Center Guidelines
• Be considerate of others who are working
• Use a quiet voice
• Absolutely no food, drinks, gum or hats
• Show care and respect when using all library resources
• Leave all backpacks outside of the library at all times
General Policies Relating to Library Books and Textbooks
• Bar-coded school planner and picture ID card are required to check out any library/media materials
• Our district is required by law to collect money in payment for willful or negligent damage or loss of textbooks, instructional materials, and library books (Administrative Code, Title 5, Section 9502)
• The parent or guardian of a student is liable for any school district property loaned to the student and not returned (District Code 48909)
• All fines for lost, overdue, and damaged books must be paid or penalties will be imposed (loss of library and extracurricular privileges as well as withholding student grade reports)
SCHOOL SAFETY…
Student safety is important at Dana Middle School. Parents are expected to talk with their child regarding safe practices. Here are some guidelines to follow:
• Parents should read and discuss the Dana Discipline Code with their child.
• All visitors to the site are required to check in at the school office to sign in and receive a visitor’s badge.
• All district support employees are required to wear a district identification badge.
• Classroom teachers will review safe conduct on the way to and from school.
• Establish the safest route to and from school (or the bus stop) with your child.
• Monitor your child’s route from time to time.
• Instruct your child to respect private property and walk only on sidewalks, wherever possible.
• Children must cross streets at stoplights or intersections where there are crosswalks.
• If your child rides a bicycle to school, they must wear a helmet and lock the bicycle in the bike rack.
• Develop a plan for your child if he/she misses the bus to or from school.
• Be clear about where your child is to be after school. If they are going home with a friend or another adult, make arrangements before leaving your home.
• Children will only be released to an adult whose name appears on the enrollment card. If you plan otherwise, please inform the office in writing.
• Know your child’s friends and their parents.
• Know where your child is at all times and give them specific limits as to where they may go, who they may be with, and when they are expected home.
PARKING AND TRAFFIC SAFETY…
Please assist us with establishing good safety and traffic patterns in and around our school by following these rules:
• Do not park in front of the school
• Do not park in the bus loading zone
• Always pull forward and obey the three minute loading zone located in front of the school. DO NOT leave your vehicle unattended.
• Do not make u-turns in front of the school
• Do not block the intersection
• Students must cross at the crosswalk
• Do not use the parking lot for pick up/drop off
• Handicapped parking is for authorized vehicles only
We expect all adults to be responsible, cautious drivers. Every child has a right to be safe as they enter and depart from our school.
DISTRICT DISCIPLINE POLICY:
The Board of Education has adopted policies regarding standards of student behavior. Behaviors that the board considers inappropriate and are immediate reasons for suspension include the following:
• Physical injury to another person
• Weapons (firearms, knife, explosive or other dangerous object)
• Drugs/alcohol on school grounds
• Damage to school/private property
• Stealing of school/private property
• Receiving stolen school or private property
• Obscenity
• Disruption/defiance
Students who violate the Board of Education policies regarding discipline or established school rules and regulations may incur disciplinary action, such as one or more of the following:
• Removal from the classroom
• Suspension
• Expulsion
• Filing of civil action
• Referral for criminal prosecution
Ordinarily, reinstatement in school can occur only after a conference or contact with parents and student and a resolution of the student’s behavioral problem.
SAN DIEGO CITY SCHOOLS – NOTICE OF ZERO TOLERANCE POLICY
• Use, possession or brandishing of a weapon will result in a recommendation for expulsion. A weapon is defined as, but not limited to, a firearm, pistol replica, starter pistol, stun gun, BB gun or pellet gun, knife of any type, a dirk, dagger razor, slingshot, any explosives or fireworks. Any object used in a dangerous manner will also be considered a weapon.
• Repeated incidents of fighting, violet acts, or causing serious injury to another person will result in a recommendation of expulsion.
• Attempting to commit or committing a sexual assault and committing a sexual battery.
• Our district has a NO ALCOHOL, TOBACCO, or other DRUG USE POLICY. If you are found to be selling, furnishing, or possessing an amount determined to be for more than personal use, you will be recommended for expulsion on your first offense. For possession or use, expulsion will be recommended on your third offense, except for tobacco offenses; if you are found in possession of tobacco you will be recommended for expulsion on your fourth offense.
• In addition to discipline, if you are found to have violated the law you may be arrested and taken to a juvenile detention facility.
• The Zero Tolerance Policy requires a recommendation for expulsion if the offense occurs on school campus or at a school activity, whether on or off campus.
• Expulsion may be recommended for an offense that occurs during lunch period -- off campus, and during, or while going to or from a school-sponsored activity.
Expulsion from San Diego City Schools will result in the loss of your privileges to attend school or extracurricular activities. You may be placed in an alternative school or program.
STUDENT NONDISCRIMINATION AND SEXUAL HARASSMENT POLICY
Notice of Student Nondiscrimination
San Diego Unified School District is committed to equal opportunity for all individuals in education. District programs and activities shall be free from discrimination based on sex, race, color, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, physical or mental disability or any other unlawful consideration. The district shall promote programs that ensure that discriminatory practices are eliminated in all district activities and will take steps to assure that the lack of English will not be a barrier to admission and participation in district programs.
Any student who engages in discrimination of another student or anyone from the district may be subject to disciplinary action up to and including expulsion. Any employee who permits or engages in discrimination may be subject to disciplinary action up to and including dismissal.
Any student or parent who feels that discrimination has occurred should immediately contact a teacher or the principal for resolution at the site. If not resolved, contact the district Title IX Coordinator.
Student Sexual Harassment Policy
San Diego Unified School District is committed to making the schools free from sexual harassment. This means that the district prohibits harassment made by someone from or in the educational setting. Sexual harassment can be such actions as: unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, verbal, visual, or physical conduct of a sexual nature made by someone from or in the educational setting.
The district prohibits conduct that has the purpose or effect of having a negative impact on the student’s academic performance, or of creating an intimidating, hostile, or offensive educational environment.
The district further prohibits sexual harassment in which a student’s grades, benefits, services, honors, program or activities are dependent on submission to such conduct.
Students should report any sexual harassment to their school principal, vice principal, counselor, or teacher. Students who violate this policy shall be disciplined appropriately. This includes suspension or possible expulsion. Employees who violate this policy shall be disciplined according to personnel procedures. The district believes that it can resolve harassment issues at the school site. If not, students may contact the Title IX Coordinator.
To File a Discrimination or Sexual Harassment Complaint
1. Filing a complaint: Obtain a copy of the Uniform Complaint Form and procedure from the school or the district’s legal office. Remedies available outside of the district are listed in this procedure.
2. Investigation: San Diego Unified School District will immediately undertake an effective, thorough, and objective investigation of the harassment allegations and provide a written report within 60 days of when the complaint is filed.
3. Action: If the district determines that its policies prohibiting sexual harassment have been violated, disciplinary action, up to and including expulsion will be taken.
The person filing the complaint may also pursue action to civil court. Complaints will be kept confidential.
The district prohibits retaliation against any participant in the complaint process. Each complaint shall be investigated promptly and in a way that respects the privacy of all parties concerned. If you have a discrimination or sexual harassment complaint, students should contact a teacher or principal for resolution at the school site. If not resolved, contact the Title IX Coordinator.
